Reflex bulb syringe



March 2, 1937.

G. N. HEIN REFLEX BULB SYRINGE Filed Aug. .14,I 1933 1N VENTOR.

Patented Mar. 2, 1937 Umrso STATES 'l' F *HQE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to syringes of the type employing resilient reflex bulbs, and is a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial No. 476,293, led August 19, 1930,k and is a ref newal in part of my application Serial No. 608,453

led April 30, 1932.

It is one object of this invention' to provide an improved syringe of the type employing a detachy able resilient reflex bulb, having novel means for l detachably fixing the bulb to the body of the syringe.

Another object is to provide a novel syringe of` the type employing a resilient reflex bulb, in which the bulb is of such form that it may be l molded in a unitary manner, and thereby overcome the difliculties that have been `encountered in the manufacture of such bulbs in a spherical form.

Another object is to provide a syringe of the 2() type employing a resilient reflex bulb,- and novel minimum, and providing an eflicient connection therebetween which lwill be proof against leakage of either liquid or air either on the pressure or suction stroke of the bulb.

Another object is to provide a syringe employing a'resilient reflex bulb of novel shape, which Will effect both an even and regular expulsion oi fluid or gas from the syringe, and providing a surface on which the syringe may be supported in an upright position, and also providing a desirable nger grip for holding the device and rendering it more efficient in operation as well as easier to manipulate.

Another object is to provide a syringe having the above characteristics, wherein the resilient reilex bulb is so constructed that it may be pushed into or snapped into detachable connection with the body of the syringe, which connection will be rigid and proof against leakage.

Another object is to provide in a syringe having as a medium to expel the contents thereof, a resilient reflex bulb in which thepressure of operation tends to more tightly seal the connection between the bulb andthe body of the syringe.

Another object is to provide a syringe employing a bowl having a resilient reflex ejecting bulb,

in which the bowl and bulb are of such construction that the bulb may be snap-ped or pushed into operating position and detached therefrom by means of lateral distortion of the bulb. Anotherobject is to provide in a syringe hav- (Cl. 12S-232) ing the above characteristics, a detachable reileX bulb that may be operatively connected with the bowl of a syringe or pipette, in which the resilient bulb is further provided with a cork or stopper portion adapted to cover and rest in the 5 mouth of a bottle or the like.

Another object is to provide a syringe having the above characteristics, which will operate with smoothness and evenness of resistance during its manipulation to expel the contents, and which 10 provides a suitable finger grip for holding the device while operating the same, and also providing a supporting portion upon which the syringe may rest when not in use.

A further object is to provide a syringe having 15 the above characteristics, which can be taken apart quickly and replaced together, that shall be leak-prooi in action, sterilized by boiling or otherwise, which permits ready access to both the internal and external parts for both inspec- 20 tion and repair, which will provide the required rebound action, and which consists of a minimum number of parts, and inexpensive to manufacture.

A still further object is to provide a syringe having the above characteristics, that shall oper- 25 ate to effect a substantial complete expulsion of the medium from the syringe chamber, and possessed of the elastic rebound desired when `the bulb is relieved of the operating pressure.

A still further object is to provide a novel syr- 30 inge for medical, dental or relating practitioners, and which may be equally convenient for unskilled persons to operate and keepV clean, and thus offer greater cooperation between the practitioner and the patient in combating disease, as well as to promote sanitation and hygiene in all forms where syringe treatment is required.

The above and other objects will be apparent throughout the further description of the invention when taken in connection with the ac- 40 companying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts. It is to be specifically understood that the drawing is not a denition of the invention, this being dened by the appended claims. 45

Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of a syringe embodying the invention, in which the resilient bulb is mounted by its resiliency on the syringe body. 1 50 Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views of a resilient bulb and syringe body respectively, embodying the invention.

Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Figs. 2 and 3, illustrating a modification of the invention.

CIO

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a syringe body and bulb, illustrating another modification of the invention.

Fig. 'l is a sectional view of the syringe body and bulb, showing another modification of the invention.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a syringe body and bulb, showing the bulb in collapsed position.

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional views of a bulb and syringe body respectively, showing another modification of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view, showing a syringe or pipette, wherein the bulb embodying the present invention includes a stopper or cork portion, the device being positioned in a bottle, and

Figs. 12 and 13 are sectional views of a syringe body and bulb respectively, showing still another embodiment of the invention.

In the preferred exemplified forms shown, the present invention comprises broadly a resilient reflex bulb Ill, having an external shoulder intermediate its axial length, a body or bowl portion, II, having an open end, I2, and terminating at its opposite end in an ejector portion, I3, the latter terminating to form a nozzle, I4. The ejector portion and nozzle does not form a part of the invention, and it is to be understood that the body, II, ejector, I3, and nozzle, I4, may be formed integral, one with the other, or each may be formed separately and adapted for detachable connection, one with the other. Adjacent the open end, I2, the bowl has a radially inwardly formed flange, IIa, which provides an inner annular groove, I6, with the bowl underlying the ange. The means for connecting the bulb with the bowl is indicated in its entirety by I 5.

In Fig. 1, the resilient bulb or closure member, I0, is provided with a resilient integral radially outward annular lip or flange, Il, which provides a shoulder, Ila, the circumferential outer face of the flange preferably having annular grooves, I9, therein, providing a series of baille rings, 2D, to prevent leakage. The exterior diameter of the flange, I'I, is substantially the same as` the interior diameter of the groove, I6, and the width of the flange, Il, is substantially the same as the Width of the groove, I6, whereby a close snug fit is provided between the cooperating surfaces of the flange, I'I, and groove, I6, with the shoulder I'Ia underlying the flange, Ila.

It will be observed from the drawing that the external diameter of the flange, II, is greater than the opening, I2, in the bowl, which necessitates distorting or collapsing the flange, II, laterally in .order to insert the flange within the opening, I2, after which time the pressure applied for distorting the ange I'I, is released, and the ange snaps into the groove, I6, by its own resiliency. When it is desired to detach the bulb from the bowl,^it is only necessary to distort the flange, I'I, by applying lateral pressure to the bulb, adjacent the top of the bowl, until the ange, I1, is distorted sufficiently to withdraw it through the opening, I2. That portion of the bulb forming the flange, I'I, is of greater thickness than the wall of the bulb proper, which permits the bulb proper to be exed as by thumb pressure, or collapsed for all useful purposes of operation without interfering with the operating position of the ange, I'I.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate modifications of the bulb, I0, and bowl, II, respectively, wherein the open end portion of the bulb body is provided With a thickened portion, 22, having its outer aovase surface conically tapered, as shown at 23, and providing a shoulder, 24, which is preferably beveled inwardly and upwardly. The thickness of the bulb proper is considerably less, and, therefore, more flexible than the portion forming the conical taper, 23, and shoulder, 24. The external diameter of the truncated cone at open end of the bulb is less than the internal diameter of the opening, I2, of the bowl of Fig. 3, for permitting the openl endof the bulb to be easily inserted so that the bulb may be pushed into the bowl, or the bulb may be distorted laterally and placed within the bowl, as in the case of Fig. 1. The bowl of Fig. 3, is formed with complementary portions, 23', and 24'-, for receiving the corresponding portions of the bulb of Fig. 2. It is to be noted, however, that the portion, 23 has a greater angle of inclination with the axis of the syringe than does the portion, 23, so that when the bulb is positioned or pushed into the bowl, the beveled portion, 23, of the bulb engages the interior portion of the bowl portion, 23', so that the beveled portion, 23, is caused to flex or wedge inwardly. This action effects a rigid tight connection between the cooperating surfaces of the portions, 23 and 23. The bowl is further provided with the portion, 26, the latter having still a greater angle of inclination with the axis of the device, and adapted toex the lip portion, 2l, of the bulb further inwardly, and it can be seen from the drawing that when the bulb is placed in its operative position within the bowl, that the cooperating portions, 24 and 24', will prevent any outward movement of the bulb with respect to the bowl, and maintaining a rigid xed non-leakable contact between the cooperating bulb and bowl portions. When it is desired to detach the bulb from the bowl, it is only necessary to distort the bulb laterally adjacent the shoulder, 24, until the shoulder, 24, is distorted sufficiently to be withdrawn from the opening, I2. This structure provides a convenient means for connecting the bulb with the bowl, either by pushing the bulb into the bowl or snapping the bulb within the bowl by distorting the bulb laterally.

It has been found in practice, that when a bulb of the type illustrated by Fig. 2 has been used for a suiiicient length of time, the portion, 22 loses some of its resiliency, and 'takes on the form, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. This is due, more or less, to material fatigue or other conditions which the portion, 22, may be subjected to during use. Therefore, it has been found advisable for some installations and use to provide a bulb, as shown by Fig. 4, wherein the portion 22 is formed to be normally in substantially the position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. Such a construction requires a modied bowl, as shown by Fig. 5. The preferred form of this modification consists of a bulb portion, 28, providing beveled portions 29 and 30, the portion 28 terminating in an inwardly turned lip portion 3l. The bowl provides complementary portions 3 I 30', and 29. The portion 3I of the bowl provides a bevel having an angle of greater inclination to the axis of the syringe than does the portion 3l of the bulb, so that when the bulb is positioned into the bowl, the portion 3l is exed inwardly, and by its resiliency causes the several cooperating portions 29, and 29', 39 and 33, and BI and 3E to assume close contact relation. This construction provides a smaller open end of the bulb. However, such opening is sufficiently large so that the bulb can be vulcanized with an internal male die and permit the bulb to be turned inside out for cleansing.

Fig. 6 illustrates another embodiment .of the invention, which embodiment is particularly adapted to permit ejection from the bowl by pressing the end with the thumb. This vmodiiication includes a ring member 33 embedded in the bulb adjacent the lip portion 34, the ring member 33- being adapted to prevent lateral distortion of the bulb at` this point, and since the externalV diameter of the ring portionof the bulb is substantially Vthe same as the internal diameter of the opening of the bowl, the bulb may be withdrawn from the bowl by laterally distorting the bulb sufliciently todistort the shoulder 35, from its seatin the V-shaped groove, 36, formed in the bowl, as may be clearly seen from the drawing. Y

Fig. '7 illustrates another form of the. invention, wherein the sealing portion 3l'. is thicker than the main body portion of the bulb, and is further provided with the groove portion 38 adapted to receive an inwardly projecting annular flange, 39, formed on the periphery of the bowl opening, so that when the portion, 3l, is positioned within the bowl, the shoulder, 4G, of the portion, 3l, formed by the greater thickness of the portion, 37, as well as the groove, 33, will engage the annular flange, 39, and maintain the bulb in rigidoperating position, The groove, 38, further serves to make the bulb more flexible, and consequently causes the portion, 3l, to be less responsive to lateral pressure on the bulb proper, and is permitted to maintain its operating position within the bowl when the bulb proper is laterally distorted during ejecting'operation. l

Fig. 8 shows a manner in which the bulb illustrated in Fig. lrnay be distorted without interferring with the connection between the bulb and bowl.

As brought out in connection with Figs. 4 and 5, under certain usage the elastic bulb at theflange end takes on the exact form of the bowl,` that is, the bulb ilange loses its rebound qualities. or resiliency to a certain extent, which causes the device to leak during the suction action of the bulb.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a modication of the invention, which successfully overcomes this dif-- culty. The bulb may be formed in the rst instance, as shown by Fig. 9, having the beveled connection portion 4I adapted to be pushed into the elongated annular groove, 42, of the bowl,v shown in Fig. l0. It is preferred that the eX- ternal diameter of the open end of the bulb be slightly smaller than the internal diameter of' opening I2, so that it may enter opening l2 read-- ily and guide the beveled portion 4l to its seat by mere pressure. The lower portion, 42m, of' groove 42 is retroverted upon itself forming in cross section an ogee curve, forming an annular' channel, 43, interiorly at the bottom of the bowl. and forming an upformed bead, 43a, exteriorly at the bottom face of the bowl. The channel, 43,4 receives the flat face lila of the open end of the bulb in slightly spaced relation as indicated, Illb,l and the terminating edges, Hic, of the face, lila, form a narrow line of contact with the side walls of the channel, 43, the outer edge, lilo, tightly contacting the radially outward channel wall upon pressure of the bulb, and the inner edge,v |00, tightly contacting the radially inner channel wall on the suction stroke of the bulb. The upformed bead, 43a, provides a convenient finger grip for holding the device during' operation thereof. The narrow line of contact referred to above eliminates wide areas of contact in which small high and low spots are bound to occur in commercial production and which would tend to produce leakage spaces.

Fig. 1l illustrates a modification of the invention, foruse in connection witha pipette. In the form shown, the bulb 44 is provided at its open end with a lip 45, formed with a shoulder {i-for engaging the body or bowl 41 of a pipette with cooperating tapering walls in Contact in a manner similar to that described above. The bulb is further provided with a cork or stopper portion, 48, which may be an integral part of the bulb, said stopper portion having an annular lip portion, 49, projecting downwardly and adapted to receive the bowl, 41, of the pipette. The external surfaces of the portion, 49, may be formed to t snugly in the mouth of a bottle, as shown at 59. The bowl 47, is inserted between lips 45 and 49 and is held in rigid, xed contact with the lips by the resiliency thereof and the engagement of shoulder 46 and flange 50a.

Figs. 12 and 1S illustrate a slightly diierent l modification of the invention, showing a conventional bulb provided with the push-in or snap-in tapered portion, 22, of the type similar to that described for Fig. 2. This type of bulb is especially adapted for use with spouts or dispersing nozzles, and since the lip portion 21 is smaller than the opening I2 in the bowl of the spout or dispensing nozzle, the connection may be made by pushing the taper, 22, into the opening l2, until it is seated in its proper position, the flange 24 of the bowl cooperating with the shoulder, 24, acting to maintain itin operative connection'. This embodiment is particularly adapted for lateral actuation of the elastic bulb, since many operators among doctors and dentists prefer, or are accustomed to lateral operation of syringe bulbs. The opening oi the bulb is, however, large enough to permit sterilization and formation of the bulb by internal and external dies.

The upper or globular portion of the bulb, l0, (in Figs. 2, 9, and 12, for example) is preferably formed with a depressed portion indicated genlerally, ld, thus providing a ilat ring whereby the syringe may be stood on end when not in use, and the depression serving the further important purpose of eliminating a sudden and irregular ejection because the resilient material has a1- ready passed the chord of its arc and the pressure on side wall is to envelop them downwardly and not press them radially outwardly, as more fully explained in my co-pending application,

zSer. No. 598,229 led March 11, 1932.

While there has been only certain modifications of the invention illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, lthat other changes, modifications, substitutions and omissions may be made in the structure, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as dened by the appended claims.

I claim:-

l. In a syringe device, a bowl comprising a body having a bottom provided with a discharge outlet portion, and having a side wall extending `upwardly from said bottom portion, the upper Yportion of said side wall terminating in a radi- :ally inwardly projecting flange dening an opening which is adapted for closure by a bulb member, said flange being adapted for releasably engaging thereunder a shoulder of the bulb member and said bowl having at the base of the side wall an annular channel opening upwardly into the bowl, said annular channel being adapted for receiving therein the terminal edge of the bulb.

2. In a syringe device, a bowl comprising a body having a bottom provided with a discharge outlet portion and having a side wall extending upwardly from said bottom portion and terminating in an upper opening for receiving a bulb closure member, said bowl including at said opening means for engaging the bulb to releasably hold it on the bowl, and said bowl body having at the bottom of the side wall thereof an annular channel opening inwardly into the bowl, said annular channel underlying said upper opening and being adapted for receiving therein an edge of the bulb opening.

3. A syringe device comprising a bulb of resilient material having an open end, and a bowl comprising a body having a bottom provided with a discharge outlet portion and having a side wall extending upwardly from said bottom portion and terminating in an upper opening for receiving the bulb closure member, said bowl including at said opening means for releasably engaging the bulb to hold it on the bowl, and said bowl body having at the bottom of the side wall thereof an annular channel opening upwardly and inwardly into the bowl, said annular channel being adapted for receiving therein the end portion of the bulb wall.

4. A syringe device comprising a bulb of resilient material having an open end and a radially externally projecting resilient portion spaced from said open end providing an external resilient shoulder intermediate the axial length of the bulb, the external wall of the bulb being conically tapered radially inwardly from said shoulder toward the open end of the bulb, and a bowl comprising a body having a bottom provided with a discharge outlet portion, and having a side wall the inner face of which is tapered upwardly and outwardly from said bottom portion, the upper portion of said side wall terminating in a radially inwardly projecting flange defining an opening which is adapted to receive therethrough the tapered wall of the bulb member, said ange being adapted for releasably engaging thereunder the shoulder of the bulb member, and said bowl having at the base of the tapered side wall an annular channel opening upwardly into the bowl, the tapered side wall of the bulb being of sufficient length axially of the bulb so that when the shoulder of the bulb underlies the inward flange of the bowl the opposite end of the tapered wall of the bulb will be disposed in the annular channel of the bowl.

5. In a syringe device, a bulb of resilient material having an open end and a radially externally projecting resilient portion spaced from said open end providing an external resilient shoulder intermediate the axial length of the bulb, the external wall of the bulb being conically tapered radially inwardly from said shoulder toward the open end of the bulb.

6. In combination with a syringe bowl having a discharge opening at the bottom thereof and a side wall extending upwardly therefrom terminating in an inturned flange dening an opening for receiving a bulb member, a bulb of resilient material having an open end and a radially externally projecting resilient portion spaced from said open end providing an external resilient shoulder intermediate the axial length of the bulb, the external wall of the bulb being conically tapered radially inwardly from said shoulder toward the open end of the bulb.

GEORGE N. HEIN. 

